Wal-Mart Issues Fresh Express Recall After Dead Bat Found in Salad Mix
November 29, 2022 - Walmart is recalling Fresh Express Organic Marketside Spring Mix from stores in the Southeastern U.S. after a dead bat was found inside a package, according to the Miami Herald. Two people were eating the salad when they found the dead bat inside, but because of "the deteriorated condition of the bat," the CDC was unable to determine whether it had rabies.
There is a "minimal" chance of spreading rabies through dead animal body parts in food, according to the Herald, and the bat was being tested for the disease.
States affected by the recall include Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The recalled salad was sold in a 5-ounce, clear container with a "Best By" date of April 14, 2017. Anyone who bought the affected product should discard it immediately or return it to the point of purchase.
Related Article: Listeria Infection Outbreak Lawsuit Update
Fresh Express Salad Recalled for Listeria Contamination
Fresh Express is recalling dozens of varieties of its branded and private label salad products [1] produced at the company’s Streamwood, Illinois facility because the product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled salad was distributed through retailers in the Northeast and Midwest regions of the U.S., as well as distributors and retailers in Canada.
This recall was initiated after the Michigan Department of Agriculture received a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in a random sample test of a single package of Fresh Express 9 oz. Sweet Hearts salad mix with a Use-By Date of December 8, 2021, manufactured at the Fresh Express Streamwood facility.
The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported ten illnesses associated with the strain of Listeria monocytogenes detected in the random sample beginning in 2016 to the present.
This recall began on December 20, 2021.
Fresh Express Caesar Salad Kit Recall
Fresh Express is recalling cases of expired 10.5 oz. Fresh Express Kit Caesar Supreme [1] with a Use-by Date of November 8, 2020, and Product Code S296 because it may be contaminated with Escherichia coli STEC 026 bacteria. The recalled salads were distributed to the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. This recall began on November 17, 2020.
Fresh Express Salads Recalled Over Cyclospora Contamination
According to an FDA Recall Notice [2] issued 6/29/20, Fresh Express is recalling the following salads produced at its Streamwood, Illinois, facility over potential contamination with cyclospora:
- Fresh Express America's Fresh Old Fashioned Cole Slaw
- Fresh Express America's Fresh 3-Color Deli Cole Slaw
- Fresh Express Chopped Kit Asian
- Fresh Express Chopped Kit Bacon & Bleu
- Fresh Express Chopped Kit BBQ Ranch
- Fresh Express Chopped Kit Chipotle Cheddar
- Fresh Express Chopped Kit Pomegranate
- Fresh Express Chopped Kit Poppyseed
- Fresh Express Chopped Kit Southwest
- Fresh Express Chopped Kit Sunflower Crisp
- Fresh Express Chopped Kit Thai 'N' Cashews
- Fresh Express Fancy Greens
- Fresh Express Farmer's Garden
- Fresh Express Gourmet Cafe Creative Classics Chopped Asian
- Fresh Express Gourmet Cafe Creative Classics Mediterranean
- Fresh Express Gourmet Cafe Creative Classics Turkey & Bacon Chef
- Fresh Express Green & Crisp / Verde y Crujiente
- Fresh Express Iceberg Garden / Lechuga Repollo
- Fresh Express Italian
- Fresh Express Lettuce Trio / Lechuga Trío
- Fresh Express Premium Romaine / Lechuga Romana Especial
- Fresh Express Premium Slaw Salad Kit Asian Avocado
- Fresh Express Premium Slaw Salad Kit Smoked BBQ Sriracha
- Fresh Express SHREDS Iceberg
- Fresh Express SHREDS
- Fresh Express Veggie Lover's
- Fresh Express Veggie Spring Mix
- Giant Eagle American (Family Size)
- Giant Eagle Chopped Asian Style Salad Kit
- Giant Eagle Chopped BBQ Ranch Salad Kit
- Giant Eagle Chopped Chipotle Cheddar Salad Kit
- Giant Eagle Chopped Mediterranean Salad Kit
- Giant Eagle Chopped Southwest Style Salad Kit
- Giant Eagle Chopped Sunflower Crisp Salad Kit
- Giant Eagle Life’s Getting Fresher Coleslaw
- Giant Eagle Life’s Getting Fresher Fresh American Blend
- Giant Eagle Life’s Getting Fresher Fresh Garden Salad Blend
- Giant Eagle Life’s Getting Fresher Fresh Italian Blend
- Giant Eagle Life’s Getting Fresher Fresh Romaine Garden Salad Blend
- Giant Eagle Life’s Getting Fresher Fresh Shredded Iceberg Lettuce
- Giant Eagle Life’s Getting Fresher Veggie Lovers
- Giant Eagle Shredded Lettuce
- Wholesome Pantry Organic Chopped Sesame Asian Salad Kit
- Wholesome Pantry Organic Sesame Asian Salad Kit
The recalled salads were distributed to retail stores between June 6 and June 26, 2020, in the following states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [3], more than 200 illnesses have been reported in connection with an outbreak of Cyclospora occurring in the Midwest U.S. states.
E. Coli Outbreak Linked to Romaine Lettuce, Leafy Greens Over
CDC is reporting that the outbreak of E. coli infections linked to Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad Kits [4] appears to be over, as the products that made people sick in the outbreak are no longer on the market. This outbreak, and a larger multi-state outbreak linked to romaine lettuce from Salinas, California, all shared a common lettuce supplier with ranches in Salinas.
Although this grower was determined to be a common supplier for all 3 outbreaks based on available evidence, the romaine lettuce from this grower does not explain all the illnesses reported in the 3 outbreaks.
What's the Problem?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [5] is warning consumers to avoid Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad Kits after they were linked to an outbreak of E. coli infections that has sickened at least 10 people in 5 states. Of those sickened, at least 4 people were hospitalized for complications of E. coli, and 1 person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, a life-threatening form of kidney failure.
The outbreak strain of E. coli linked to Fresh Express Salads is different from the one associated with romaine lettuce grown in Salinas, California, although preliminary tests suggest the contaminated ingredient in the Fresh Express Salads may be lettuce sourced from the same area. CDC is continuing to investigate and will provide more information as it comes available.
E. Coli Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of an E. coli O157:H7 infection usually begin 3 to 4 days after exposure to the bacteria, though some people start getting sick as soon as 1 day after ingesting contaminated foods. Symptoms of food poisoning include:
- Diarrhea (may be watery or bloody)
- Abdominal cramping
- Pain
- Tenderness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Source: Mayo Clinic [6]
CDC Recommendation
Health officials have advised consumers, restaurants, and retailers to discard all Fresh Express Salad Kits with a best-before date up to and including Dec. 7, 2019, and with the identification code UPC 0 71279 30906 4, beginning with lot code Z. Under no circumstances should these salads be consumed, even if they look and smell normal, according to the CDC.
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Do I Have a Fresh Express Salad Lawsuit?
The Food Poisoning Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Fresh Express Salad Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new E. coli cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one got sick after eating a Fresh Express salad, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit and we can help.
